As part of its centennial celebration, the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead is opening “More Perfect Union: The American Civil War Era” on Friday, July 10.
The expansive new exhibition debuts in the fully renovated DuBose Gallery and serves as the first phase of Atlanta History Center’s new Civil War-era exhibition experience. The second phase, “Hard Hand of War: Soldiers, Weapons, and Mass Production” will open in the Goldstein Gallery this winter.
American flag that flew over a refugee camp for formerly enslaved men, women, and children on Craney Island, Virginia, in 1862-1863. The camp was one of hundreds that provided shelter and support for individuals seeking freedom behind Union lines. (Courtesy Atlanta History Center)
Together, the two galleries will comprise more than 15,400 square feet of interpretive space, almost doubling the footprint of the Center’s recently retired “Turning Point: The American Civil War,” which educated millions of visitors over its nearly 30-year run, according to a press release.
Once complete, Atlanta History Center’s Civil War offerings, including the existing Cyclorama, will span more than 30,000 square feet, making the institution one of the largest Civil War presentations in the country.
Through immersive storytelling, personal accounts from people who were there, deeply researched interpretation, and rare, never-before-seen artifacts, the exhibition examines the central questions that shaped the nation: Who was included in the promise of American democracy? Who was excluded? What does a more perfect union look like?
Hand-painted bass drum carried by New York native William A. McKinzie of the 78th Illinois Infantry during the Atlanta Campaign, including the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The drum was presented to McKinzie by fellow soldiers in 1864 and is among the rare surviving musical instruments used during the Civil War. (Courtesy Atlanta History Center)
Among the featured objects are an original copy of Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, the Confederate flag that flew over Atlanta at the time of the city’s surrender, Major General William T. Sherman’s personal copy of “Photographic Views of Sherman’s Campaign,” and the battle flag of the 127th U.S. Colored Troops bearing the words “We will prove ourselves men”.
Upon entering, visitors immediately step into an immersive media experience. Photographs, headlines, political cartoons, and other imagery flash across multiple screens, while period voices collide in a cacophony of political debate. These are the words of real Americans, revealing the deep divisions, conflicting opinions, and uncertainty that defined the era.
As visitors continue through the exhibition, interactive digital maps, and animated timelines provide historical context and allow visitors to explore stories and connections at their own pace, while keeping original artifacts and primary-source interpretation at the center of the experience.
Bloodstained frock coat of Pvt. Benjamin H.G. Schumpert, a young Confederate soldier killed at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia in 1863. A bullet struck Shumpert in the head, killing him instantly. His cousin recovered the body and the coat
Original 1852 printing of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, first given on July 5 that same year, which came to bear the title of its central question: “What to the American Slave is Your Fourth of July?” No one had ever expressed the fundamental contradictions of the American Experiment in clearer terms
“This exhibition reflects Atlanta History Center’s commitment to presenting history in an evidence-based way,” Sheffield Hale, president and CEO at Atlanta History Center, said in a statement. “Rather than offering a simplified narrative, ‘More Perfect Union’ uses Atlanta History Center’s extensive collection to put the story of the Civil War era into the words of the people who lived through it, across many different experiences and perspectives. Our goal is to create space for learning, reflection, and a deep understanding of how this period shaped the nation.”
Learn more at AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.
